Books like The Art of Human Chess by Pimpin' Ken

A secondary‑level chemistry textbook that combines theoretical instruction with laboratory exercises.

With more than 400 illustrations, and detailed maps, this immense and deeply researched account of the history of chess covers not only the modern international game, derived from Persian and Arab roots, but a broad spectrum of variants going back 1500 years, some of which are still played in various parts of the world. The evolution of strategic board games, especially in India, China and Japan, is discussed in detail. Many more recent chess variants (board sizes, new pieces, 3-D, etc.) are fully covered. Instructions for play are provided, with historical context, for every game presented.

'In this book, chess is a teacher, and I aim to show it is a great one' - Garry Kasparov. Here Grandmaster and World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov shares the powerful secrets of strategy he has learned from dominating the world's most intellectually challenging game - lessons about mastering the strategic and emotional skills to navigate life's toughest challenges and maximise success no matter how tough the competition. 'Unfortunately, the number of ways to do something wrong always exceeds the number of ways to do it right.' Drawing on a wealth of revealing and instructive stories, not only from the most intense and decisive moments of his greatest games, but also from his wide-ranging and perceptive reading, Kasparov reveals the strategic ways of thinking that always give a player - in life as in chess - the edge.We learn about the great figures of the game, and how their contests have shaped chess history; from Capablanca and Alekhine to Bobby Fischer and Kasparov's nemesis, Vladimir Kramnik. 'It's much better to be a little over-confident than the opposite. As Churchill wrote, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." If we trust in our abilities they will repay us.' With a raconteur's engaging charm, Garry Kasparov takes us inside a brilliant strategic mind. As Sun-Tzu distilled the secrets of the art of war and Machiavelli unveiled the lessons to be learned from courtly intrigue, Kasparov - a player whose record is likely never to be rivalled - reveals how and why the game of chess is a fitting and powerful teacher of how to be prepared for, and how to win in, even the most competitive situations. 'I used to attack because it was the only thing I knew. Not I attack because I know it works best.'.